Hello and welcome. After stage 8 yesterday, 329 crews – 151 bikes and quads, 116 cars and 62 trucks – officially finished the stage. The total number of official withdrawals has climbed to 171, after 16 crews did not start the 8th stage following the rest day. As regards the race, French biker Cyril Despres (KTM), who won the 8th stage yesterday, kicked off proceedings for the day’s special at 07.00 as scheduled, followed 2 minutes later by the leader of the general standings, Spaniard Marc Coma (KTM).